Man Stole Dead Roommate’s Government Benefits, Prosecutors Say

LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS/AP) – Authorities say a Lower Township, New Jersey man used his dead former roommate’s government benefits card to collect more than $300. Cape May County prosecutors say Richard Montgomery faces a theft by deception charge. It wasn’t known Wednesday if the 66-year-old Lower Township man has retained an attorney.

Montgomery allegedly used the benefits card of a former roommate, who had been dead since last July. Authorities did not disclose how they learned of the alleged theft, but did say more arrests could be coming.

Prosecutors say Montgomery’s arrest was made as the result of a joint investigation into theft from benefit cards and the misuse of temporary housing provided through “Code Blue” cold weather alerts.